No.13 Michigan State needed a big second half to wipe out a ten-point halftime deficit to Illinois. The Spartans got it, winning the second 20 minutes 53-38 to secure an 80-75 win over the Illini. Keith Appling led Sparty with 24 points. No.9 Arizona also needed to come back after being down at the half at Washington. Nick Johnson led four Wildcat players in double figures with 15. The No.9 Butler Bulldogs were never in a 75-58 loss at St Louis. The Billikens jumped out to a 31-14 lead and never looked back, taking advantage of 23 Bulldog turnovers.

OKC dispatch Grizz, Westbrook benched for outburst

In the Thursday night TNT double-header, Oklahoma City had little trouble in beating Memphis 106-89 and Golden State edged Dallas 100-97 on the late show. The Thunder led 32-22 after a quarter, 58-34 at the half, then never looked back. The highlight of the game was a temper tantrum by Russell Westbrook that got home a ride on the pine for the final eight minutes of the third quarter. The Durantula led OKC with his usual 27-7-6. Zach Randolph missed his first shots for Memphis who dressed just nine players after Wednesday’s flurry of trades.

NFL and College Football News and Notes

Kansas State and Bill Snyder have agreed to a five-year extension worth $14.75 million that puts him under contract until he’s 78. Snyder, in his second stint with Kansas State, is still just the fifth or sixth (depending on the new Art Briles deal) in the Big 12. The Wildcats were poised for a national championship run but lost last in the year to Baylor and were thumped in the Fiesta Bowl by Oregon.

Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti is confident that the Ravens and quarterback Joe Flacco can reach a deal that will keep him in Baltimore for the next 10 years. Flacco had a forgettable regular season in his walk year but has posted the greatest statistical post-season ever by a quarterback in leading Baltimore to the Super Bowl.

Lefty misses put on 18, settles for career best 60

Phi Mickelson lipped a 25-foot put on the final hole and had to “settle” for an 11-under-par round of 60 to lead the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Ryan Palmer, Brandt Snedeker and Padraig Harrington are in a group of five sitting four shots back. Mickelson was just a fraction of an inch off of becoming the sixth player to shoot 59 in a PGA event.

Buyer can’t meet deadlines, Phoenix Coyotes are still for sale

A prospective buyer for the Phoenix Coyotes could not get his investors or money in line by Thursday’s deadline and a deal to bu the team fell through. Greg Jamison the former CEO of the San Jose Sharks, appeared to be the best possibility to keep hockey in the desert but was unable to put the deal together. The team has been run by the league for the last three years.

X Games snowmobiler dies of injuries

Snowmobiler Caleb Moore died on injuries sustained a week ago in the X Games. Moore was hurt in a violent crash that saw him land face first in the snow and then get run over buy his snowmobile. This clip is not for the faint of heart.